With Bermuda鈥檚 crystal-clear waters, you don鈥檛 have to get out of the boat to see marine life 漏 Raul Rosa / 500px
Of course you鈥檙e going to Bermuda for the beaches. But there鈥檚 much more to do on this tiny island in the Atlantic Ocean than plonk yourself on the sand.
While Bermuda is not part of the Caribbean, it shares the same history of colonial influences, pirate outlaws and distilling rum, and a similarly fascinating hinterland tucked away behind the palm trees and golden sand.
Whether you鈥檙e looking for a low-key getaway, an active island adventure or a deep dive into history, here are nine things to do to break up those beach days on Bermuda.
1. Drink Bermudian rum
The official rum of Bermuda is Goslings, used in the island鈥檚 signature drink, the Dark and Stormy (a mix of Goslings rum, ginger beer, and lime) as well as the island's unofficial national drink, the rum swizzle (three types of Goslings rum and fruit juices stirred into a potent punch).
Even if rum isn鈥檛 your favorite spirit, Bermuda all but begs you to try one of these classics, and you'll find them at most island pubs and hotel bars. Seek out rum-based cocktails near Castle Harbour at the historic Swizzle Inn, named after the house punch. For cocktails with a view, try the beachside bars at coves such as Tobacco Bay and Achilles' Bay, or waterfront restaurants such as and .
2. Eat a fish sandwich
While you may have tasted a fish sandwich before, it wasn鈥檛 a Bermuda fish sandwich. On this idyllic island, fresh catch of the day (usually a white, flaky fish, like snapper, wahoo or mahi-mahi) is fried and stacked between slices of raisin bread slathered with tartar sauce and hot sauce.
Locals know to ask for the sandwich with 鈥渢he works鈥 鈥 usually lettuce, tomato and onion, plus extra tartar sauce on the side. The combination may sound a bit much, but you won鈥檛 regret experiencing a Bermuda fish sandwich at least once.
Planning tip: Find fine fish sandwiches at hole-in-the-wall cafes, like Hamilton's Art Mel's Spicy Dicy and the north shore's .
3. View the island from on deck
Cruising away from the jagged coast on a boat trip will let you take in Bermuda鈥檚 size and topography from a new angle, and the view from the water is the same view that once greeted pirates, smugglers and the Royal Navy sailors who pursued them both.
Whether it鈥檚 a summertime 鈥渞aft-up鈥 regatta with locals 鈥 lubricated with plenty of homemade rum swizzles 鈥 or an off-season cruise enjoying the moderate winter temperatures, boating is never a bad idea while visiting Bermuda.
If you鈥檙e traveling independently, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Bermuda from the water鈦. Sign up for a cruise on the catamaran , rent a boat or jet ski from , go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding around the bays or simply hop on a for a budget-friendly cruise around the island鈥檚 perimeter.
4. Soak up history in Bermuda鈥檚 forts
Because of its strategic location in the middle of the Atlantic, the island constructed numerous fortifications over the years to protect its lands and people. There are few military threats today, but the forts offer a glimpse into the island鈥檚 history dating as far back as the early 1600s, when Bermuda was first settled (the island was uninhabited when the first Spanish sailors arrived).
You won鈥檛 have to travel far to find a fort 鈥 they're dotted throughout the island. Popular options for a visit include Fort Scaur, Fort Hamilton, Fort St Catherine and the massive Royal Naval Dockyard.
Planning tip: You can walk around most forts for free, but on-site museums, such as the one at Fort St Catherine, charge a small entry fee. If you鈥檙e on the island during the summer, it鈥檚 best to go in the early morning to beat the heat.
5. Explore reefs and wrecks with a mask and snorkel
Just below the surface of Bermuda鈥檚 jewel-blue waters, shallow coral reefs provide a stunning underwater show featuring a diverse cast of marine life, from parrot fish and damselfish to bright soft corals and visiting turtles.
If you鈥檙e looking for just a short excursion, rent snorkeling gear at your hotel and head to Church Bay for quality snorkeling right off the beach. If you prefer to make a day of it, try a snorkeling tour with K.S. WaterSports. If you prefer not to plunge in, you can see to the bottom of Bermuda鈥檚 clear waters in many places without the hassle of getting your hair wet.
For something truly different, offers the chance to walk under the sea about 2 miles offshore, wearing a helmet with a pumped-in air supply. Scuba diving is also popular on the island, especially around the shallower reefs and shipwrecks; numerous operators can arrange dive trips.
Planning tip: at Grotto Bay in the north of Bermuda is the top-ranked dive center on the island, offering trips to sites such as the wreck of the Pelinaion, a Greek tramp steamer that foundered on the rocks in 1939.
6. Take part in the island鈥檚 sporting scene
No matter what time of year you visit Bermuda, there鈥檚 always something happening on the sporting calendar, and it's easy to get involved, whether by watching or participating. From the year-round attraction of golf (the island has the highest concentration of golf courses in the world) to summer鈥檚 Cup Match cricket tournament and the World Rugby Classic each autumn, Bermuda鈥檚 sports scene reflects its Commonwealth roots.
7. Dine by the sea
From elegant venues overlooking the harbor, such as or , to beachfront bars where you can dine with your toes in the sand, such as or , visitors to Bermuda will find plenty of waterfront restaurants serving dinners and lunches with a view.
You can also create your own alfresco seaside dining experience by bringing a picnic to the beach. Jobson鈥檚 Cove off Warwick Long Bay offers a tranquil setting for a romantic sunset spread or a casual pizza dinner (local pizzeria La Trattoria is a favorite for takeout).
8. Walk the railway trail
From 1931 to 1948, the Bermuda Railway was the main means of transport on the island; today, the Railway Trail extends from one end of the island to the other, offering miles of peaceful walking with sweeping views of turquoise waters. It's a great way to explore another side of Bermuda鈥檚 natural beauty, beyond the sandy beaches.
Eighteen of the route's original 22 miles are accessible to the public, with abandoned rail beds overgrown with vegetation opening up to undisturbed sections of rocky coastline and views of the horizon beyond.
Planning tip: Access the Railway Trail from either the Somerset or St George's end, and bring a water bottle if walking during the hot summer months. Bermuda Lectures & Tours offers informative walking tours that explore the railway's history.
9. Don鈥檛 forget the obvious: hit the beach!
While we know it鈥檚 super obvious, we couldn鈥檛 omit this Bermuda must-do. With more than 30 idyllic beaches spread around just 64 miles of coastline, Bermuda offers easy access to fine white sands punctuated with rosy specks of coral wherever you stay on the island.
A drive along the South Shore provides access to postcard-perfect beaches, such as Warwick Long Bay and Horseshoe Bay. If you鈥檙e looking for a more local scene, visit Cooper鈥檚 Island Nature Reserve for fewer beach chairs and more solitude.
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